Cristiano Ronaldo on Comparison With Tom Brady and LeBron James on Plans to Retire: ‘A Very Important Point Is the Difference Between Sports’

Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady, and LeBron James are the greatest athletes of all time in their respective sports. Though, there is one similarity. They persist in being the fittest sportspersons in the world at an age when players would likely go for retirement.

The soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo (36), during a recent interview with ESPN Brasil, revealed his retirement plans in comparison to the other two. The king of Old Trafford is struggling in his second spell with the Red Devils. And a question on his retirement is bound to be asked. However, the GOAT did not hesitate when talking about playing- for not just another few years, but almost a decade.

He stated that he feels like a 30-year-old since he has taken great care of his body and mind. Ronaldo emphasized how important it is to be mentally prepared at an age where playing is no less of a battle. It is also very evident among elite athletes like Tom Brady and LeBron James as well. They seem to be mentally prepared for any challenge that lies ahead.

“I’ve been working and focusing more on working on my mind,” Ronaldo said. “I know my body will handle me because I have a lot of respect for it and I listen to it a lot. I want to find out if I’m going to play until I’m 40, 41, or 42, but the most important thing is that my daily goal is to enjoy the moment.“

Cristiano Ronaldo on Tom Brady and LeBron James

It was surprising to hear about Ronaldo talking about playing through his 40s. Yet he believes that his mental and physical toughness will allow him to remain in the sport for a long time. Following that, an instant question was thrown at him, asking him to compare himself with NFL superstar Tom Brady (44) and NBA icon LeBron James (37), who still continue to rule their domain with outright respect.

Also Read: ‘Sometimes I Get a Little Pissed’: Tom Brady Explains Poor Sportsmanship After Super Bowl Loss to Eagles

“I think a very important point is the difference between sports,” he continued. “You mentioned some excellent athletes who have already been active for many years. In my opinion, there is no other sport that has as much workload as soccer. The NBA, for example, has long rest periods, but I don’t want to expand on that.”

The answer may seem a bit haughty, yet, it is the most reasonable answer. Different sports require a different set of skills and athleticism. Speaking of basketball and American football, as Ronaldo mentioned, the game has more time-outs, which give players more time to recover. Soccer, on the other hand, requires more stamina for a continuous 45-minute grind.

Do you think the answer given by Cristiano Ronaldo is apt? Let us know in the comments below!

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